Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →On the latest reported operating results, adidas had stronger sales growth and gross margin, while the companies posted similar operating-margin figures. That does not establish which stock is the better buy: the periods do not align, and the available figures do not compare share valuations or forward earnings.
How comparable are the latest results?
Nike’s fiscal 2026 ended May 31, 2026, and its financial statements are in US dollars. adidas reports on a calendar-year basis; its 2025 year ended December 31, 2025, and its statements are in euros. The figures below are useful for comparing recent operating direction, but they cover different periods and currencies. No currency conversion is applied.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Where does each company stand on sales growth?
Nike: revenue was essentially flat
NIKE, Inc. reported fiscal 2026 revenue of $46.398 billion, compared with $46.309 billion in fiscal 2025. The company described the year-over-year change as flat in reported terms and down 2% on a currency-neutral basis. That is a modest recovery in reported revenue from fiscal 2025, not evidence of strong growth. Nike fiscal 2026 Form 10-K
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
adidas: sales rose, with brand growth depending on the comparison
adidas reported 2025 net sales of €24.811 billion, up 5%. Its adidas-brand revenue grew 13% currency-neutral; when the comparison includes sales of Yeezy in the prior year, brand growth was 10% currency-neutral. These are distinct measures, so the 13% figure should not be read as the like-for-like comparison that includes prior-year Yeezy sales. adidas 2025 Annual Report
#1 Best Overall
Which company has higher profit margins?
Gross margin: adidas was higher in its 2025 report
adidas’s 2025 gross margin was 51.6%, up from 50.8% in 2024. Nike’s fiscal 2026 gross margin was 42.9%. The reported figures favor adidas, but the different reporting years and accounting presentations mean this is a directional comparison rather than a perfectly matched-period test.
Operating profitability: the reported margins were numerically alike
adidas reported an 8.3% operating margin for calendar 2025, compared with 5.6% in 2024; operating profit rose to €2.056 billion from €1.337 billion. Nike reported an 8.3% EBIT margin for fiscal 2026. The two 8.3% figures are numerically the same, but adidas’s operating margin and Nike’s EBIT margin should not be treated as identical definitions or as results from aligned reporting periods. adidas 2025 financial highlights
Rank #2
- Comes with secure packaging
- Easy to read text
- It can be a gift option
What do earnings and return on capital show?
Nike reported fiscal 2026 net income of $3.108 billion and management-reported return on invested capital (ROIC) of 18.7%. adidas reported 2025 net income attributable to shareholders of €1.340 billion. These amounts are in different currencies and cover different periods; a direct ranking by absolute profit would therefore be misleading. The available figures provide no matching adidas ROIC measure, so they do not support a like-for-like return-on-capital verdict.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsWhat should investors make of adidas’s cash and inventory?
At December 31, 2025, adidas had €1.617 billion in cash and cash equivalents, down 34.1% year over year, and €5.832 billion in inventories, up 16.9%. Those balance-sheet movements deserve context, not a stand-alone distress label. adidas attributed inventory growth in part to planned top-line growth, earlier purchases related to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and faster inbound deliveries. It also cited working-capital investment and a higher dividend payout among factors affecting cash. These are management’s explanations; the figures alone do not establish inventory quality or future cash generation. adidas 2025 balance sheet
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Does stronger operating performance mean adidas stock is cheaper?
No conclusion about relative share value follows from these operating results. A stock can have stronger recent growth or margins and still be expensive relative to expected earnings. Establishing which share is cheaper requires contemporaneous share prices and consistently selected earnings estimates to compare valuation measures such as forward price-to-earnings ratios. Those figures are not established here.
For a stock decision, investors would also need to weigh whether growth and margins can persist, alongside geographic and channel trends, inventory quality, capital returns, and business risks. The latest annual results support an operating comparison, not a stock recommendation.
Quick Recap
Best Value
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
